Selecting a linebacker for the Raiders in the first round has become quite the chic pick in most mock drafts recently despite the near certainty that is middle linebacker NaVorro Bowman’s return in 2018. Keeping with that theme, ESPN’s Todd McShay has Oakland selecting former Virginia Tech linebacker Tremaine Edmunds in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft in his latest mock draft.

Here is what McShay had to say about selecting Edmunds with pick No. 10 for the Raiders in his ESPN mock draft 2.0.

The Oakland defense gave up 5.6 yards per play last season (27th), so help is needed. CB Gareon Conley, last year’s first-round pick, is still an unknown after playing only two games in 2017, which means the secondary is still a question mark. But the Raiders also have a need at linebacker, and with the top two CBs off the board, they can choose between Edwards and Roquan Smith. Edmunds is a better fit for Oakland, as he can play off the line and rush off the edge. He’s an athletic freak who will turn some heads at the...